Background
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has multiple contrast mechanisms. Like various staining
techniques in histology, each contrast type reveals different information about the
structure of the brain. However, it is not always clear how structures visible in
MRI correspond to structures previously identified by histology. The purpose of this
study was to determine if magnetic transfer contrast (MTC) or T2 contrast MRI was
better at delineating the substantia nigra (SN).
Methods
MRI scans were acquired in vivo from two nonhuman primates (NHPs). The NHPs were subsequently
euthanized, perfused, and their brains sectioned for histologic analyses. Each slice
was photographed before sectioning. Each brain was sectioned into approximately 500
sections, 40 μm each, encompassing most of the cortex, midbrain, and dorsal parts of the hindbrain.
Levels corresponding to anatomic MRI images were selected. From these, adjacent sections
were stained using Kluver-Barrera (myelin and cell bodies) or tyrosine hydroxylase
(dopaminergic neurons) immunohistochemistry. The resulting images were coregistered
to the block-face images using a moving least squares algorithm with similarity transformations.
MR images were similarly coregistered to the block-face images, allowing the structures
on MRI to be identified with structures on the histologic images.
Results
We found that hyperintense (light) areas in MTC images were coextensive with the SN
as delineated histologically. The hypointense (dark) areas in T2-weighted images were
not coextensive with the SN but extended partially into the SN and partially into
the cerebral peduncles.
Conclusions
MTC is more accurate than T2-weighting for localizing the SN in vivo.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 14, 2012
Accepted:
July 30,
2012
Received in revised form:
June 13,
2012
Received:
December 21,
2011
Identification
Copyright
© 2013 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
